Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, has unveiled a state-of-the-art fish hatchery facility in Calabar, Cross River State. This facility has the capacity to produce over 20 million juveniles annually, with five million produced every quarter. The hatchery features a fully functional laboratory, classrooms for lectures, and serves as a research center.
The facility was made possible through funding from the Federal Government, International Fund for Agricultural Development, and Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises Project for the Niger Delta. Additional support came from the government of Cross River, United States Agency for International Development Feed the Future Project, and other private sector collaborators.
According to Minister Kyari, the hatchery will not only contribute to Nigeria’s food security but also provide employment and income opportunities for youths and women in the aquaculture subsector. “The South-South region holds a significant position as Nigeria’s oil and fishery hubs,” Kyari stated. He emphasized that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu aims to advance Nigeria’s agri-food system through technology and innovation for job creation, youth empowerment, and poverty reduction.
Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu, represented by Commissioner Johnson Ebokpo, expressed hopes that the facility would address challenges in fish availability and accessibility. Otu appreciated Minister Kyari for creating a conducive environment for foreign interventions in the state.
The National Project Coordinator, LIFE ND, Abiodun Sanni, highlighted the project’s effectiveness in promoting agriculture among Niger Delta youths. Sanni noted that the project surpassed its initial target of 25,500 beneficiaries, reaching 26,470 beneficiaries across six participating states.
The Chief of Party, USAID Feed the Future Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services, Ben Odoemena, estimated that the hatchery’s annual production of 20 million juveniles would inject approximately N1.6 billion into Cross River’s economy. If properly maintained, the hatchery is expected to generate around N60 billion annually. This significant investment is poised to revolutionize aquaculture in Cross River and contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth.
